Kelfala Marah Commends Samura Kamara

Kelfala Marah Commends Samura Kamara

The substantive Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) Dr. Kefala Marah has praised his predecessor Dr. Samura M.W Kamara (in photo) for his efforts at transforming the MFAIC which led to the ministry grabbing the All Walks of Life (AWOL) Best Ministry of the Year 2017 Award.

It could be recalled that the AWOL held its award ceremony recently at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel which attracted a galaxy of distinguished personalities from all walks of life. The MFAIC emerged winner in the category of Best Ministry 2017 and was awarded a trophy.

However at a media engagement at MFAIC conference room last Thursday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs told his audience including staff of the ministry, guests and a cross-section of the press that he is not surprised about the award because as he put it: “Dr. Samura Kamara is an efficient administrator who has made and left indelible marks of achievement at all the places he has worked including the IMF, ADB, ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance among others and I am very proud of him.”

He praised him for setting the reform agenda at the MFAIC, adding that he would take off from where his predecessor left off and that he would not let him down.

Responding, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation who is now APC presidential candidate Dr. Samura Wilson Matthew Kamara said the success of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International winning the AWOL award is a result of teamwork and that he alone cannot carry the praise. He admonished the MFAIC staff to continue working assiduously with Dr. Kelfala Marah as they did with him, adding that they should always put personal issues and politics aside for the good of the ministry in particular and for the good of Sierra Leone as a whole.

He went on to state that during his tenure as Foreign Affairs Minister he ensured that he introduced a system of transformation by moving away from the mundane and ordinary way of doing things and encouraged every staff to do the same by thinking out of the box. He added that he also ensured that Sierra Leone missions abroad were increased and also ensured that training of staff was an essential ingredient to improve and enhance the capability of the MFAIC, adding that Sierra Leone is now a force to reckon with internationally. He maintained that during his tenure he was able to revamp Sierra Leone’s recognition at the UN and AU levels.

The climax of the occasion was the symbolic presentation of the AWOL award to Dr. Samura Kamara which after receiving it he also presented to the MFAIC staff, adding that it was they who made it happen. Taking of group photos on the foyer of the MFAIC followed.